HTML5 Powers Marvel Comics on Chrome

Optimized for Chrome and utilizing HTML5 to make the reading experience more like the one offered by the iPad, the new web app offers up more than 1,600 comics. Some are free to read, but most cost $2 per issue.

“Marvel Comics on Chrome is the next step of Marvel’s commitment to making high-definition digital comics available to users anytime, anywhere,” said Marvel exec Ira Rubenstein in a press release Wednesday.

While not as slick as Marvel’s iPad app, the Marvel Comics on Chrome app does give online reading a boost. Using a mouse to click on-screen arrows will never be as cool as flicking through a comic using a touchscreen, but the web app does an admirable job of mimicking the iPad’s engaging, page-flipping motion.

Readers can purchase single issues from the Chrome store that are readable on PC or Mac. “Purchases made on the Marvel Comics app on iTunes will be accessible via the Chrome store at no extra cost to users, though purchases made through the Chrome store may only be viewed through the Marvel Comics app on Chrome,” the company said.